Wimbledon 2025 - LIVE!
For the 14th time in his career, Novak Djokovic will stride out onto Centre Court for a Wimbledon semi-final. The 38-year-old will face world number one Jannik Sinner on Friday for a place in the final, a stage he has not failed to reach at SW17 since 2017.
There were scares here in an entertaining quarter-final clash with Flavio Cobolli, Djokovic losing the first set and then left face down in the grass in the final game after a nasty fall behind the baseline. Djokovic, though, did what Djokovic does, picking his moments to raise the intensity and delivering when it mattered most in a 6-7 6-2 7-5 6-4 victory.
“Wimbledon will always be the most special tournament we have in our sport, in my opinion and many other players' opinions,” he said on court after the match. “It means the world to me that at 38 I am able to play in the final stages of Wimbledon.”
Djokovic vs Cobolli latest news
- MATCH! Djokovic wins in four sets
- SET! Djokovic in charge on Centre Court
- SET! Djokovic levels match up
- SET! Cobolli wins first set tie-break
Djokovic asked about awkward fall in final game
19:38 , Matt Verri“Well I finished the match.
“Nasty slip, but that’s what happens when you play on the grass. I didn’t fall so far this year.
“It’s a bit surprising, the way I move on the grass with a lot of sliding... you’re expecting to fall and have this kind of situation.
“It came at an awkward moment... I’m going to visit this subject with my physio now.”
Reaction from Djokovic
19:37“I have to say huge congratulations for Flavio for an amazing tournament and also a great battle today.
“He played on a really high level. What surprised me a lot was his serve. Serving at a really high pace, going for his shots... he’s such a talented and skilful player.
“He’s definitely one of the guys we’ll be seeing a lot more.”
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 6-4 Cobolli
19:34 , Matt VerriDjokovic looks fine in that long rally and it’s Cobolli who blinks first. Forehand into the net, a third match point for Djokovic.
Game, set and match!
Tame ending, as a weak lob from Cobolli is dropped back over by Djokovic.
The seven-time champion is into the semi-finals. Again.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 *5-4 Cobolli
19:32 , Matt VerriDoesn’t look like Djokovic is going to let this slip.
Big forehand doesn’t come back, follows it with an ace. 30-0.
Cobolli seems to have mistimed his jump for the smash but stays in the air just about long enough and puts it away. 30-15.
Big cheers... turn to warm applause. Ace for Djokovic. Two match points.
SHOTTTTT. Djokovic up for the serve and volley but the forehand pass flashes past him. 40-30.
Djokovic slips behind the baseline and has stayed face down on the court. Umpire and Cobolli rush over to him.
He’s back up, but that was a real scare. Deuce.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 *5-4 Cobolli
19:27 , Matt VerriHere we go. Djokovic drops a return at Cobolli’s feet, 0-15.
But Cobolli responds and thunders down a 131mph ace. We’ve ticked past three hours in this match and he’s still bang in it.
Might have jinxed him. Djokovic with such good depth on the groundstrokes, forces the mistake. 30-30.
And that’s a tiiiight backhand from Cobolli. Halfway up the net. Break point Djokovic.
TAKES IT!
A massive groan went up around Centre Court, in the nicest possible way to Djokovic. Cobolli had the court at his mercy but nets the volley.
Djokovic will serve for the match.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 4-4* Cobolli
19:23 , Matt VerriDjokovic nets a backhand to start the game. If he gets broken there, Cobolli will be serving to take it to a decider.
Loud ‘Flavio’ shouts go up. Djokovic looks absolutely thrilled about that.
Couple of rock solid points get Djokovic 30-15 up. Timely first serve then doesn’t come back.
Cobolli with a poor backhand and that’s the hold for Djokovic. Now the pressure is piled back on the Italian.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 *3-4 Cobolli
19:17 , Matt VerriNet cord pops the ball up and it lands back on Cobolli’s side of the court.
15-30 - is Djokovic about to make his move?
Maybe not. Two forehand winners later from Cobolli and he’s back in control.
Huge hold for the Italian.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 3-3* Cobolli
19:13 , Matt VerriGot the strong feeling of a set that will be settled by one break. Don’t think we’ll be seeing multiple swings in momentum.
Djokovic’s defence means Cobolli is having to go for lines, can’t find them in this game so far. Backhand just out, 40-0.
And now with the forehand, as the Italian hits it about as hard as he possibly could.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 *2-3 Cobolli
19:09 , Matt VerriNo sign of Cobolli falling away meekly in this match.
First serve is firing, getting enough cheap points behind it to ensure life isn’t too stressful at the moment.
Shout to his box as a Djokovic backhand sails long to secure the hold.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 2-2* Cobolli
19:07 , Matt VerriCobolli hasn’t got into a rally in this game, Djokovic breezing through it.
A succession of aces and unreturned serves make that a very swift hold to love.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 *1-2 Cobolli
19:04 , Matt VerriBackhand wide from Cobolli, 15-30. The Djokovic fans inside Centre start to get a bit louder again.
But the roar that follows is not for him. Cobolli thunders a forehand down the line and even Djokovic gives up on that early.
Ace earns the Italian a battling hold.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 1-1* Cobolli
19:00 , Matt VerriLovely shot, Djokovic firing a forehand down the line and Cobolli can’t get near it.
He thinks he’s caught the line with that one too - but it’s out. By about as small a margin as is possible. 30-30 and Cobolli has real interest in this game.
Slightly less interest now, as he watching a swinging ace go by.
The Italian looks to have won that point about three different times, but Djokovic somehow stays in it... and wins it. Hold.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 *0-1 Cobolli
18:55 , Matt VerriDjokovic brings Cobolli forward with a low slice, but the Italian is up to the task and makes the backhand winner.
So Djokovic has to show him up next point, even better shot. Clean return winner. 30-30.
And the Italian then finds himself at deuce. Needs to make a strong start to this set or it could get away from him in a hurry.
There is the hold, as Djokovic sends a backhand wide.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 7-5 Cobolli
18:49 , Matt VerriCap on for Djokovic, who is now serving on the side of the court where there is still a bit of sun.
His box, and a first chunk of Centre Court, on their feet after that point! Drop shot, lob, smash... and one final perfect drop shot. Cobolli hanging on for dear life in the point but he’s worn down. 30-0.
First serve out wide bring up three set points for Djokovic.
Goes for the serve and volley... doesn’t get the volley part of the equation. One set point goes.
But an ace seals the set!
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 *6-5 Cobolli
18:45 , Matt VerriBackhand into the net, double fault - Cobolli has given himself real stress. 15-30. The Djokovic chants start again.
And now two break points!
Djokovic needs only one, as Cobolli whips a forehand wide. Djokovic will serve for the set.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 5-5* Cobolli
18:42 , Matt VerriCan Cobolli pile some pressure on the Djokovic serve here?
Not looking like it. Lines up the backhand down the line but can’t quite make it.
At 40-0 Cobolli decides there’s no point hanging around and throws the kitchen sink at a return... halfway up the net.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 *4-5 Cobolli
18:38 , Matt VerriReturns that normally land right on the baseline are landing a foot long for Djokovic at the moment.
And that one is dumped into the net, really loose return game for him so far. Cobolli 40-0 up and he’s barely hit a shot.
That makes up for it, lovely forehand winner. He’s a game away from the set.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 4-4* Cobolli
18:36 , Matt VerriAt the stage of the set where neither can afford to be broken.
Cobolli gifts Djokovic a couple of cheap points, going for winners but sending one shot into the net and another a long way out.
Double fault gives Djokovic a bit of stress, but he follows it with an unreturned first serve to secure the hold.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 *3-4 Cobolli
18:31 , Matt VerriDjokovic sends a tame return low into the net, starts gesturing to his box. Wasn’t that long ago that he was winning a seventh game on the bounce.
He sends this return long, and throws his racket absolutely miles into the air.
Can’t catch it so it sort of ends up hitting him too. Smooth.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 3-3* Cobolli
18:26 , Matt VerriDon’t want to say that Cobolli drop shot was rubbish... but it bounces before the net.
Then almost takes someone out in the second row as he frames a return into the crowd on the bounce.
And Cobolli then loses the game to love. Apart from all that, it went well.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 *2-3 Cobolli
18:22 , Matt VerriCobolli has found another level. Now flicks a ridiculous forehand pass down the line.
He can’t miss all of a sudden, another forehand winner after the first serve sets up the point.
Djokovic can barely get a racket on that first serve and it’s a hold to love.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 2-2* Cobolli
18:19 , Matt VerriBreak point!
Djokovic sends a forehand long, Cobolli throwing everything at this game.
And he does break! Stunning return and we’re back on serve.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 *2-1 Cobolli
18:17 , Matt VerriDjokovic throws his hand and his head up after putting the simplest of forehands into the net.
And Cobolli now has a bit of hope - and a smile on his face. Huge roar from the crowd as he wins a long rally to get to 0-30.
Flat backhand becomes even flatter after clipping the top of the net and Cobolli has no chance with that.
The Italian lobs the ball up into the sun, but Djokovic puts that away easily enough. 40-30.
But he forces deuce and then calls for more noise from the crowd. Djokovic was sliding around all over the shop behind the baseline.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 *2-1 Cobolli
18:10 , Matt VerriThat helps. Djokovic moves up to the net and looks set to drop another volley over, but he gets it all wrong.
Cobolli enjoys a rare comfortable hold, ending a run of seven straight games for Djokovic.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 2-0* Cobolli
18:08 , Matt VerriNet is becoming a bit of a magnet for Cobolli. Struggling to get anything going now.
That backhand doesn’t hit the net... but it does fly six feet long.
Djokovic holds to love.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 *1-0 Cobolli
18:04 , Matt VerriDjokovic straight on the front foot on Cobolli’s serve, just clipping the line with a backhand. 15-30.
The Italian then loops it long as he falls off balance, two break points for Djokovic.
And he takes the first of them! Cobolli has big problems now.
No surprise that Cobolli has gone off court between sets. That all got away from him very quickly.
Djokovic doing a bit of yoga and some slightly strange stretching.
Both of them back on up their feet now and good to go.
Djokovic 6-7 6-2 Cobolli
17:57 , Matt VerriDjokovic needs about 30 seconds to get to 40-0 and bring up three set points.
And another ten to seal the set. Serving masterclass in that game.
We’re level on Centre Court!
Djokovic 6-7 *5-2 Cobolli
17:55 , Matt VerriDjokovic really getting going now.
Forehand winner, flat backhand down the line - 0-30.
And now a perfect return as Cobolli rushes to the net. Three break points.
Cobolli saves one of them, and then the second with an ace. 30-40.
But there is the double break!
Djokovic 6-7 4-2* Cobolli
17:52 , Matt VerriDoesn’t look like he’s going to get broken straight back this time.
First serve, second serve... doesn’t matter. None of them coming back in that game.
Hold to love and Djokovic is well-placed to level this match up.
Djokovic 6-7 *3-2 Cobolli
17:48 , Matt VerriCobolli with a double fault and he then sends a routine forehand wide. Loud ‘Novak’ chants around Centre Court for the first time.
The fan club are back on their feet as he finds another forehand winner to bring up two break points.
One will do! Cobolli into the net and that’s a slack game from him. Ruthlessly punished.
Djokovic 6-7 2-2* Cobolli
17:45 , Matt VerriTwo more cheap points for Djokovic behind the first serve. He’s been pretty much rock solid except for that one game when he was serving for the set.
Cobolli makes a great forehand down the line, but Djokovic gets to 40-30 with a typically confident serve and volley.
Ace down the T and we’re level once more.
Djokovic 6-7 *1-2 Cobolli
17:40 , Matt VerriCobolli is playing with so much confidence.
Forehand winner lands just inside the baseline, before the swinging serve out wide doesn’t come back.
Ace moves him back in front in the set.
Djokovic 6-7 1-1* Cobolli
17:39 , Matt VerriAnything you can do...
Djokovic takes his ace tally to five as he now races to a hold to love.
Needs to now try and get Cobolli off rhythm on serve.
Djokovic 6-7 *0-1 Cobolli
17:36 , Matt VerriFeels a while ago that Djokovic was serving for that first set. Was firmly in control at that stage.
Instead he can only walk back to his seat a game down in the second set, as Cobolli seals the hold with his latest ace.
Djokovic 6-7 Cobolli
17:31 , Matt VerriHuge moment! Cobolli makes the forehand pass and that brings up a set point on his own serve. 7-6.
Takes it! 137mph first serve and Cobolli is a set up against the seven-time champion.
Djokovic 6-6 Cobolli
17:30 , Matt VerriBack on serve! Brilliant point, Cobolli desperately hanging in it before Djokovic finishes him off with the drop volley. 5-5.
But Cobolli steadies himself and finds the forehand winner, 6-5 and set point. It is on Djokovic’s serve, though.
So cool. Djokovic strolls up and sends a backhand just inside the line. 6-6.
Djokovic 6-6 Cobolli
17:27 , Matt VerriToo good. Ace down the T. 5-2 Cobolli.
Djokovic still just about hanging in this, puts away the forehand at the net. 5-3.
That was very, very close. Cobolli goes for it with the return, lands just beyond the baseline. 5-4.
Djokovic 6-6 Cobolli
17:25 , Matt VerriPerfect start for Cobolli, gets the mini-break in the first point. Then backs it up with a 134mph serve out wide. 2-0.
Serve suddenly firing on all cylinders. The Italian is 3-0 up in the tie-break.
Djokovic responds with two cheap points on his own serve. 3-2.
On the stretch, Djokovic sends a forehand long. 4-2 Cobolli.
Djokovic 6-6 Cobolli
17:21 , Matt VerriApplause from Djokovic, as Cobolli absolutely crunches a forehand winner down the line. Moving at Mach 10.
His next effort ends up six rows back in the crowd. Getting a bit of everything from the Italian.
From 40-0 to deuce, as Djokovic lands the backhand right at the feet of Cobolli.
Two biiiig first serves later and it’s a tie-break.
Djokovic 6-5* Cobolli
17:16 , Matt VerriAfter the loose service game when trying to wrap up the set, it’s normal service resumed for Djokovic.
Hold to love and he’s guaranteed himself at least a tie-break.
Would be a surprise if Cobolli didn’t come under huge pressure in this next game on serve...
Djokovic *5-5 Cobolli
17:13 , Matt VerriCobolli’s box on their feet after their man shows brilliant touch at the net with the drop volley. Djokovic hammered the crosscourt pass at him.
Can’t get that one back, Djokovic stepping up the intensity. 30-30 and a massive point coming up.
Break point! Cobolli’s grunts becoming more and more desperate there as he was worked around the court.
Djokovic wastes it, poor forehand and it loops wide. Deuce.
Big cheers as Cobollo confidently puts away the smash and levels this set again.
Djokovic 5-4* Cobolli
17:07 , Matt VerriThis set isn’t done yet. Cobolli with his latest forehand winner and that’s 0-30.
Three break points! Djokovic slaps a backhand into the net. Well then.
That’s wide and Djokovic is broken to love when serving for the set. That came out of nowhere.
Djokovic *5-3 Cobolli
17:03 , Matt VerriHere we go again, Djokovic gets to 0-30 on the Cobolli serve,
And here we go again, Cobolli gets it back to 30-30. Djokovic had a good look at a return but sends it just long.
Ace down the T puts the Italian within touch of a hold, but Djokovic gets it to deuce. Up to the net to force the issue.
Now a break point for Djokovic, who could very swiftly find himself serving for the set.
Nope, not yet anyway. Serve and volley from Cobolli, Djokovic left in a heap behind the baseline after a desperate slide.
Double fault - second break point point.
Brilliant rally, Cobolli goes for the forehand down the line... an inch or two out! Djokovic breaks.
Djokovic 4-3* Cobolli
16:56 , Matt VerriDjokovic goes for absurdly optimistic tweener shot as he scrambles back, can’t clear the net.
Cobolli then plays a great point, such clean, flat hitting from the baseline. Djokovic as athletic as ever in near enough doing the splits to reach a couple of shots, but not enough. 30-30.
No tweeners or splits needed there, Cobolli’s lob floating long to give Djokovic a hold.
Djokovic *3-3 Cobolli
16:53 , Matt VerriTwo unforced errors from the Italian and Djokovic is gifted a chance at 0-30.
Again the response from Cobolli is good, Djokovic sliding around behind the baseline and unable to get on top in the rallies.
Cobolli nets that forehand, though, and it’s deuce.
Another one into the net, break point Djokovic. But Cobolli finds a first serve out wide to get him out of trouble.
Second break point coming up for Djokovic, Cobolli’s forehand suddenly throwing up plenty of mistakes. Djokovic returns the favour, back to deuce.
Cobolli brings him forward with the drop shot and then whips a forehand past him. Level again.
Djokovic 3-2* Cobolli
16:44 , Matt VerriShot!
Cobolli jumps all over a second serve and launches a return winner crosscourt. 15-30.
Can only watch that one, Djokovic sending down his second ace. Swiftly followed by his third.
Djokovic *2-2 Cobolli
16:39 , Matt VerriClever backhand winner from Cobolli, sends it behind Djokovic as the 38-year-old tries to cover the open court.
But a forehand into the net pegs Cobolli back, 40-30 having been 40-0 up.
Makes that deuce having been 40-0 up. Crowd starting to get involved a bit more.
Ace down the T - Djokovic glaring at the line like he doesn’t believe it was in. Very, very tight. Back to deuce, though, as Djokovic’s drop shot proves good enough.
Best rally of the match, bruising exchanges from the baseline - Cobolli comes out on top. That’s a great hold.
Djokovic 2-1* Cobolli
16:33 , Matt VerriDjokovic a bit fortunate there. Second serve catches the very outside of the line and jumps up on Cobolli. Hand up in apology.
The Italian makes another superb pass next point, this time crosscourt. 15-30 and he’s looking confident.
Right in that game, but ultimately Djokovic serves himself to a hold.
Djokovic *1-1 Cobolli
16:29 , Matt VerriTwo loose forehands and Cobolli is immediately under a bit of pressure at 0-30.
But a timely first serve helps out, before a flat backhand has Djokovic scrambling and forces the mistake.
Big point at 30-30 - Cobolli hammers a pass down the line as Djokovic approaches. Brave shot.
133mph first serve out wide and that’s the hold.
Djokovic 1-0* Cobolli
16:26 , Matt VerriCobolli gets into one real rally in the game, winning that point, but otherwise it’s easy as you like for Djokovic.
An ace and a couple of unreturned serves get him up and running.
Cobolli won the toss - he’s opted to receive first.
Alex de Minaur enjoyed plenty of success on the Djokovic serve on Monday. Cobolli will be hoping to follow suit.
Here we go!
16:15 , Matt VerriSomeone in the crowd has launched a champagne cork about 20 rows in front of them. As rowdy as it gets here.
Cobolli first to walk out, Djokovic just behind him. One of them a bit more used to this stroll than the other.
Timings update
16:02 , Matt VerriPlayers will walk out onto court at 4:15pm, so Centre Court has near enough emptied for now to get some refreshments.
Cloudy, mild day in Wimbledon but dry conditions, so we won’t need the roof.
Game, set and match!
15:50 , Matt VerriBelinda Bencic completes the upset against Mirra Andreeva!
She wins 7-6 7-6 on Centre Court and will face Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals.
Know what that means? Djokovic and Cobolli are next up!
Centre Court update
15:37 , Matt VerriBelinda Bencic served for the match against Mirra Andreeva but she was broken!
It’s now gone to a tie-break in the second set, still in the balance.
Djokovic and Cobolli none the wiser as to when they’ll be out on court.
Cobolli makes his mark!
15:26 , Matt VerriWhat a ten days it’s been for Flavio Cobolli.
He will make his Centre Court debut this afternoon, in what is his first appearance in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam.
And he does it against Novak Djokovic.
'It's a maiden major quarter-final for Flavio Cobolli" 🥹
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2025
Italian Cobolli defeats Marin Cilic to reach the Last 8 of #Wimbledon for the first time, doing so by winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(3) 💥
Just look at what it means to him and his family ♥️ pic.twitter.com/LVLb9moNKI
Standard Sport prediction
15:15 , Matt VerriIf it’s the Novak Djokovic seen early in the tournament, then this should be a breeze for the seven-time champion.
But if he produces the kind of level he showed in that first set against Alex de Minaur, which he lost 6-1, then Flavio Cobolli has a real chance.
Cobolli must quickly adapt to playing on Centre Court for the first time, which will be daunting in itself.
We’re going for Djokovic to get the job done in relatively routine fashion.
Djokovic to win, straight sets.
Start time
15:00 , Matt VerriThis quarter-final will follow the conclusion of Mirra Andreeva’s match with Belinda Bencic on Centre Court.
Bencic has won the first set against the seventh seed, with it still on serve in the second set. Andreeva leads 3-2.
If that goes to three sets, Djokovic and Cobolli could have a bit of a wait on their hands.
How to watch Djokovic vs Cobolli
14:49 , Matt VerriTV channel: In the UK, live free-to-air coverage of Wimbledon runs today on BBC One until 4:15pm BST.
Live coverage will then move to BBC Two until the conclusion of play.
Live stream: You can watch the action live and for free online via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.
Live blogs: You can also follow the action from SW19 right here with us!
Good afternoon!
14:40 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Novak Djokovic vs Flavio Cobolli!
A place in the Wimbledon semi-finals is on the line, with the winner facing either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in the last-four.
We’ll have all the latest build-up right here before full coverage from Centre Court. Stick with us!
